Format: Webinar, original date September 22, 2021
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
Whether you’re talking to patrons about Covid-19, searching for a job, going to college, or deciding where to live, money is often a key concern. Guiding patrons through a complicated financial landscape, can be challenging and confusing, and can be unfair when the playing field is not level. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), is focused on using all of their tools, including enforcement, rule-writing, and research to address systemic racism and economic inequality in the consumer financial system. One of the ways to address wealth inequality in the U.S. is through empowering people who are developing their financial knowledge. With the right tools and resources, you can start conversations on this essential topic which touches all our lives.
The CFPB provides a comprehensive tool, Your Money, Your Goals (YMYG). YMYG is a set of free financial empowerment materials for organizations that help people meet their financial goals by increasing their knowledge, skills, and resources. Join this session to explore resources you can use with patrons working on their financial goals and hear from the Norfolk Public Library about how they are using YMYG resources to close the financial literacy gap in their community. And also learn about ALA’s Financial Literacy Interest Group—a place to find support and share best practices for financial literacy in all libraries and communities.
Presented by: Cassie Russell, Alex Gabriel and Emily Mross
Format: Webinar, original date January 10, 2018
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
Librarians have the power to make Wikipedia better and more reliable. Once you understand how this collaborative, community-driven encyclopedia works, you’ll see the value of contributing your expertise and knowledge. Wikipedia Library’s annual #1lib1ref (“One Librarian, One Reference”) campaign provides a simple and fun way to get started. This global initiative invites all library staff to improve the verifiability of information on Wikipedia by adding at least one reference during the campaign, which runs from January 15 through February 3, 2018.
During this webinar, Monika Sengul-Jones, OCLC Wikipedian-in-Residence, will illuminate the inner workings of Wikipedia to build your confidence in its viability as a resource. Emily Jack, community engagement librarian at UNC Chapel Hill Libraries, will share what library staff love about participating in #1lib1ref—and why engaging with Wikipedia makes sense for libraries. Learn how you can participate in #1lib1ref, confidently add a citation to Wikipedia and connect with other librarians who are motivated to contribute to this popular resource used by information-seekers around the world. Join the community of librarians who Wikipedia!
Presented by: Monika Sengul-Jones and Emily Jack
Format: Webinar, original date September 22,
2022
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
Natural disasters strike everywhere. In their wake, communities are left reeling and many people turn to their libraries for support and information. Your library may have plans to secure its facilities and collections in order to keep the doors open, but are you prepared to support patrons’ civil legal issues that arise? A host of urgent needs emerge around FEMA applications, landlord-tenant disputes, property issues, required documentation, and more. Libraries can play a crucial role connecting people with civil legal issues to resources and information that can help. Join this webinar to learn how to apply reference skills to support community members through this civil legal turmoil and guide them toward positive outcomes. A legal aid attorney and a law librarian will share insights based on their personal disaster experiences to introduce library staff to civil legal issues that may arise during a variety of natural disasters.
Presented by: Kathy Grunewald and Sara Pic
Format: Webinar, original date February 11, 2020
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
The lofty U.S. ideal of "justice for all" fails the equity test because many people, especially our nation’s poorest individuals, fall into the "justice gap"—the divide between the civil legal needs of low-income people and the resources to meet those needs. Many of your community members who instinctively turn to the library for help with crises in their lives might be on the verge of falling into this gap. Though legal issues can be intimidating for library staff, public libraries are well positioned to help reduce the justice gap. Join us to learn about the status of civil legal justice in our system and about the vital role you can play in connecting people with information and supporting them as they navigate the complexities of the legal system. Law librarian Catherine McGuire, who has conducted extensive trainings with public libraries, will share insights into interacting with patrons who approach the library with civil legal needs. With a basic understanding of the civil legal justice landscape, we hope you will be motivated to plunge deeper into helping close the justice gap by taking the live, multi-week online course to be offered in April.
Presented by: Catherine McGuire, Luis Interiano, and Betha Gutsche
Format: Webinar, original date April 23, 2014
Hosted by: Infopeople
Length: 1 hour
- Is traffic at your reference desk disappearing?
- How do you reach out to the users who make use of your library's power and Internet access - but not your human resources?
- How can your library support flipped learning without going getting sucked down a MOOC-shaped black hole?
- Can librarians maintain their brand as information experts in the age of pervasive connectedness?
Portable Internet devices and persistent access to online resources is changing the way people learn. With that comes significant shifts to the way people use library spaces and services. Rather than fearing this disruption, libraries should lean into the change. Through mobile library services, flipped and co-learning experiences, and virtual reference tools, libraries can continue to demonstrate the importance of reference skills. Join digital strategist Toby Greenwalt for an exploration of current and emerging techniques.
Presented by: Toby Greenwalt
Format: Webinar, original date May 19, 2016
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
The advent of the Internet liberated genealogy research. With the resulting ease of access, individual genealogy exploration has blossomed. However, many people pay for research services, not realizing that they can go to their public library for free, reliable tools and assistance. This webinar will teach library staff how to assist patrons with genealogical questions, using FamilySearch.org, a leading genealogy resource. Learn the reference skills necessary to determine a patron’s research experience and reveal the problem to be solved. Learn how to orient patrons to available resources and introduce them to the principles of finding a record for a known ancestor. Become a better guide to your patron researchers and help them to connect successfully with the details and stories of their ancestry.
Presented by: James Ison
Format: Webinar, original date March 26, 2015
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
As information and education centers, libraries are an ideal place for patrons--teens and adults--to learn about higher education opportunities. What can you offer in response to patrons who are curious about college? If you or your staff feel flummoxed by college-related reference questions, this session will acquaint you with the different types of college-bound students, college-related resources to promote at your library, and ways to work with community partners on programs for each audience. Provide help for the many patrons who do not have access to pricey college prep programs and services. Learn how to initiate or enhance your reference services to help more people meet their higher education goals.
Presented by: Africa Hands
Format: Self-paced Course
Developed with: Funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services
Length: 2 hours
Through a series of small projects and collaborative efforts, Douglas County (CO) librarians explored a new dimension of modern reference service, one that places their expertise at points of need outside of the library to respond to the questions the public didn’t take to the library.
By reaching out to their community and building new relationships, they are raising awareness about the reference services of the public library and learning more about the range of information local businesses and community members really need.
Join us as we step away from the desk and…
- Explore new approaches to reference services that place public librarians directly in the community, answering questions at the point of need and growing community connections.
- Discover possible outcomes and impacts of embedding library staff in direct projects supporting community businesses and organizations.
- Identify your expertise. Identify new ways to place your expertise at points of need to respond to the questions the public does not typically take to the library.
- Consider change. Consider new ways to adjust to this change and the opportunities for personal and professional growth that are possible for all staff within your library.
Course Design:
Based on a webinar originally presented by Jamie LaRue, Colbe Galston, and Amy Long and designed by WebJunction
Format: Webinar, original date December 8, 2021
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
Building on the webinar Understanding Eviction and How Libraries Can Help, this special session provided an opportunity for library staff to share questions and experiences about how libraries are assisting patrons facing eviction. Whether you’re just beginning this work or have been answering eviction questions, you are absolutely welcome! We began with short presentations showcasing partnerships between libraries and community organizations that address eviction and then opened up the conversation for ideas and questions. Leaders representing law and public libraries, government agencies, and the legal aid field were available to respond to comments.
Presented by: Catherine Duarte, Beth Hill, Kristin Wong, Deb Hamilton, Ranya Ahmed, and Madeline Youngren
Format: Webinar, original date January 12, 2022
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
WebJunction offered another special session to provide you with the opportunity to share questions and experiences about how your library is assisting patrons facing eviction. We covered the basics in the webinar Understanding Eviction and How Libraries
Can Help, and addressed some of your questions in the follow-up session, Libraries and Eviction: Continuing the Conversation but we know there’s more to talk about as the eviction situation continues to evolve. Whether you’re just beginning this
work or have been answering eviction questions, you are absolutely welcome! We began with a short presentation about the partnership between Richland Library (SC) and the NAACP, where library staff serve as housing navigators, playing a triage
role in the housing instability crisis in their area. Following the presentation, experts from law libraries and legal aid answer your eviction questions.
Presented by: Lee Patterson, Joe Schottenfeld, Deb Hamilton, Ranya Ahmed, and Madeline Youngren
Format: Webinar, original date February 14, 2017
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) exists not only to protect consumers but to empower all of us to take more control over our economic lives. The CFPB recognizes the important role that libraries can play as the go-to source for unbiased financial education resources in every community. The CFPB plans to build a community financial education infrastructure with libraries and national partners to reach consumers in their neighborhoods, expanding on programs and resources that are already working in libraries. With this infrastructure in place, public libraries can help fill consumers’ critical financial knowledge gaps by providing and distributing easy-to-understand, behaviorally informed financial education content. Learn how two libraries have implemented financial literacy program ideas, resources and tools, and connected with local partners, and hear how you can take your library and your community to the next level with patrons empowered to be informed consumers.
Presented by: Ken McDonnell, Meg Spencer, and Thea Hart
Format: Webinar, original date August 22, 2023
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
Many refugees arriving in the US have spent all of their lives in a refugee camp before coming to the US, and most immigrants to the US come from countries with minimal infrastructure. Navigating the US financial system is an important skill these individuals must develop to thrive in their new home country. Libraries can provide some of that assistance. In this session, learn about free and trustworthy financial literacy resources developed specifically for new immigrants and refugees. Librarians will share how they work with new immigrant and refugee communities to provide this vital education.
Presented by: Ken McDonnell, Julie Robinson, Young E. Park, and Emily Mross
Format: Webinar, original date Summer 2011
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
In communities all around the country, people have felt the impact of a weak economy and they are still turning to libraries with a variety of needs. While libraries have vigorously responded to many immediate needs and the economy is starting to improve, the library has a continued and vital role to play to move their communities from recovery to growth, from surviving to thriving.
This webinar will build your knowledge and confidence to deliver programs and services that will keep the workforce in your community moving forward in the 21st century. It covers core responses to the basic needs of patrons impacted by the weak economy and specific responses to job seekers. The session also explores the variety of ways in which your library can support entrepreneurs and local small business in your community and how you can help your patrons strengthen their personal financial skills.
This webinar archive was created from sessions presented in 2011 as part of the IMLS-funded Project Compass, a national initiative to support public libraries' services to the struggling workforce.
Presented by: Betha Gutsche, Christine Hamilton-Pennell, and Holly Fulghum-Nutters Original
Format: Webinar, original date June 11, 2020
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
With the economy staggering, unemployment soaring to unprecedented heights, and families reeling from weeks of confinement and uncertainty, people are turning to their libraries for help. Many of the issues people are struggling with involve civil legal information; questions related to unemployment, debt/money issues, foreclosures and evictions, or family stressors are all on the rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this webinar, two law librarians highlight the most common civil legal issues they are seeing, provide guidance on key ways for public libraries to respond to civil legal needs, and discuss best practices for online reference services. Let’s work together to re-empower our struggling communities and demonstrate just how essential libraries are in times of crisis.
Presented by: Jenny Silbiger and Joseph Lawson
Format: Webinar, original date July 9, 2015
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
Every day, libraries around the country are filled with people seeking help with jobs and careers. How do library staff find time and resources to assist them all? Learn a variety of practical ways to deliver career development services in your library from two certified ALA Career Development Facilitators. They have strategies and resources to help you cover the spectrum from a quick "on the fly" toolbox of forms and templates to ideas for one-time classes, workshop series, and even one-on-one personalized career sessions for patrons. You really can support those job-seekers!
Presented by: Aileen Luppert and Michelle Simon
Format: Webinar, original date May 27, 2020
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: Length: 1 hour
With a pandemic impacting community information needs in a multitude of ways, and with library services shifting increasingly to online formats, it's time to boost your online reference and curation skills with expert strategies and sources. In this webinar, infoDOCKET's Gary Price highlights free, quality, open web sources to help you and your patrons answer important questions. Now, more than ever before, marketing your library's reference services can help demonstrate the value of reference skills to key community stakeholders, including the chamber of commerce, city council, local press, and other service providers. Using freely available web sources, including web archiving and productivity tools, boost your skills in open web collection development and curation, to meet your community's changing information needs.
Presented by: Gary Price
Format: Self-paced Course
Developed by: LibraryU, a program of the Illinois State Library and the regional library systems
Length: 1 hour
Online, or virtual reference, has rapidly become a standard patron service offered by many public libraries. It uses the tools of the internet to extend traditional reference service to the point of need, bringing the service to patron rather than requiring the patron to come in to the library.
Online Reference Basics will help the learner to provide basic online reference service involving email and chat. The course addresses the advantages and disadvantages of online reference, gives step-by-step guidance, and provides tips and resources.
Course Design: updated by WebJunction
Format: Webinar, original date May 8, 2014
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: Length: 1 hour
Reference is still intrinsic to library services. It is evolving with changing patron needs, varied information resources and new delivery formats. Yet much of traditional practice remains important to providing quality information services to patrons. In this webinar, we will explore the balance between traditional and contemporary reference approaches, inviting you to join this open space conversation. What methods do you employ for reference today? What works? What doesn't? How does social media play a role? Lets learn from each other "how we do reference" so we can find the best fusion of traditional and modern reference service.
Presented by: Vanessa Irvin Morris
Format: Webinar, original date October 17, 2019
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: Length: 1 hour
Consumers are faced with increasingly complex scams and schemes used to defraud millions of people each year. As libraries strive to increase the digital and information literacy skills of their patrons, and provide timely and effective strategies for fraud protection, keeping up with options for consumer protection can be overwhelming. This webinar will explore the free resources available in multiple languages and formats provided by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that can be used by your patrons to protect their identity and to recognize and avoid scams. You’ll also hear how Johnson County Library is partnering with local agencies to provide programs and resources to empower consumers in their community.
Presented by: Carol Kando-Pineda and Marty Johannes
Format: Webinar, original date November 18, 2021
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
Housing insecurity and high rates of eviction were already a crisis in certain regions prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Soaring unemployment levels and confusing moratoria have also aggravated the situation. Under normal circumstances, the eviction process is so complex that it can be difficult for landlords and tenants alike to understand and navigate. Over the last two years, additional layers of complexity were added as national, state, county, and municipal government implemented, rescinded, or modified an assortment of policies related to eviction. Join this webinar to understand the current state of the eviction crisis, recognize the basic stages of the process, and discuss options for preventing evictions through rental assistance. Learn how you and your library can sort through the maze and connect people to eviction-related information and services. You can make a big difference in the lives of these community members.
Presented by: Kristin Wong and Deb Hamilton
Format: Webinar, original date March 17, 2021
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1.5 hours
In the deluge of online information, it's difficult for your users to identify the different information formats associated with the resources they find. A single resource has numerous elements of format, some related to where and how it was published, as well as how it conveys information. For example, an article may appear in a newspaper or a magazine or a journal, and in addition to text, it may contain images, data visualizations, or even video. These format elements can affect how a user judges information resources. They can tell users about how and why the information was created, how they should use it, and how trustworthy it might be. Yet, there is not a good vocabulary for describing or discussing the impact elements of format can have on information evaluation. Instead users are left with a "know-it-when-they-see-it" understanding of format types. A recent research project has attempted to address this issue by developing the concept of "containers" and locating it within a descriptive taxonomy of other format elements, and examining how students (4th grade – graduate school) choose resources for assignments. Presenters discuss findings from the research study, including the role of format in the evaluation of web search results and how they are incorporating the findings into their own concepts and practice.
Presented by: Brittany Brannon, Tara Tobin Cataldo, Robin Kear, and Ixchel Faniel
Format: Webinar, original date July 19, 2017
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
Wikipedia is more than its collection of user-contributed articles; it is a dynamic community with powerful tools that ensure reliability. For public libraries, Wikipedia can be a useful tool to connect patrons with quality information and help them build information literacy skills. In this webinar, learn how you can use Wikipedia to expand access to your collections and creatively engage your communities.
You'll leave with new insights about Wikipedia and practical tips on how to apply what you've learned. You’ll also hear more about the Wikipedia + Libraries online training program being held in the fall of 2017. This free ten-week course offers the opportunity to gain skills in Wikipedia editing and engagement in a collaborative learning environment with public library peers.
Presented by: Monika Sengul-Jones, Tiffany Bailey, and Betha Gutsche
Format: Webinar, original date May 6, 2015
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour
As job seekers of all kinds continue to come to the library for resources and support, libraries continue to find new ways to respond to this essential community need. Workforce literacy impacts a variety of patrons, including ex-offenders reentering the workforce, small businesses looking to grow, young first time job seekers, military personnel and veterans, and older adults seeking new skills to stay in the workforce. Work SC brings a comprehensive, yet accessible, set of tools to South Carolina residents through the State Library, and Jason played no small part in making it happen. Find out how your library, large or small, can adapt these service models and partnerships to provide the resources and support your local community needs to thrive in today’s workforce.
Presented by: Jason Broughton
